DELTA State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, urged stakeholders in the country’s mining industry to guard against the negative experiences from oil and gas exploration in the country and learn from such experiences, especially in terms of environmental degradation and youth restiveness.

Okowa said this at the inauguration of Mosra Energy Idowu Falola Coal Mines and ground-breaking for a 600MW Mine-Mouth Coal Power Plant in Ugboba Community in Aniocha North Local Council of the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, lauded the impacted communities of Ugboba, Ugbodu, Uku-Nzu and Obomkpa for their support and cooperation and the project partners for their commitment and tenacity, saying his administration had worked very hard to provide enabling environment for private investments to thrive in the state.

Okowa urged Mosra Energy to adhere to the MoU reached with the communities and deal with issues of environmental sustainability, noting that power produced from the plant would impact positively to the social-economic lives of the communities and Nigeria in general.

He charged all parties to continue to maintain peace to enable the power plant take off successfully, stating that Delta State is blessed with numerous mineral resources.

“We are familiar with oil and gas, because it is the main stay of the economy. Coal is another mineral resource that is abundant in commercial quantities to drive economic activities.

“As we lay the foundation for this power plant, we should remember the lessons learnt from oil and gas exploration as it pertains to environmental degradation and youth restiveness.

“I urge the management of Mosra Energy to adhere to the terms of any MoU reached amicably with the critical stakeholders and also deal with issues of environmental protection with a view to maintaining industry standards.

“In the same vein, the communities should not be overbearing in their demands. There must be a balance struck to keep work going smoothly,” he said.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, commended the state government for its support for the project, adding that host communities must be the first beneficiaries of the project and remain the focal points in the mining industry; hence their  support must be sought before commencement of mining activities.

He commended Mosra Energy for its effort, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to give support and incentives for more investment in the mining sector. 

Welcoming guests earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Mosra Energy Limited, Mr. Olukayode Ramos, said the project was a step towards meeting the energy needs of the country and lauded the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for its partnership and continued support towards attracting more investors into the mining sector.

He commended Okowa and the host communities for their commitment in ensuring enabling peace for the company to operate, saying construction work would create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for the host communities and people of the area.

In his remarks, the Obi of Ugboba Kingdom, Obi Ezedimbu Nkebakwu, commended the company and all stakeholders for their support in bringing the project to fruition, pledging the support and cooperation of the host communities towards the completion of the project.

The ground-breaking was also attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, top government officials and traditional rulers, among others.

EDO State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said history would be kind to his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, whose tenure as governor ends on May 29.

Obaseki said no matter what people thought about the Okowa administration, history had recorded the governor’s massive achievements while in the saddle for eight years.

  Speaking at a valedictory dinner held for the outgoing governor and his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, at the Events Centre in Asaba on the night of Sunday, may 21, Obaseki described Okowa as a unifier who had ensured that Edo and Delta states remained united and for supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to victory in the 2021 governorship election in his state.

He said: “I am here to celebrate and thank God for the life of our own chairman, because he is the Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum. I want to thank God that you have kept the tradition, you have played your own part, you have run your own session of the race.   

“You inherited a Delta that is PDP and you are handing on a Delta that is PDP to your successor. You have done your part and that’s all you can do and we thank God for your wife and family that have been a pillar of support all through these eight years.

  “People will have their own versions of history, but history is history and history has recorded what you have achieved for your people in Delta State.

  “I congratulate you and thank God for your life, that as you move to the next phase of your calling, the Lord who has seen you through will be there to support you.”

  Obaseki charged the governor-elect, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, to brace up for the challenges ahead and wished him well as he assumes office on May 29.

On his part, Okowa, who was very emotional on the night, thanked Deltans for giving him and his deputy the opportunity to serve the state for eight years.

  He also commended the Legislature and the Judiciary, as well as the civil service for their contributions to his administration’s success, saying: “There is no doubt that we had some happy moments, but we also had some challenging moments. Several challenges came our way, but God was with us all through.

  “God was with us and He will be with you through your tenure.”

  The governor apologised to the people of Ayakoromo and the Ijaw nation for his inability to complete the Ayakoromo Bridge project, but assured that he had taken steps to ensure its prompt completion in no distant time.

  “I must publicly apologise for our failure to deliver the Ayakoromo Bridge during my tenure. The previous contractor somehow slowed us down and not until last year we found out that if we needed to succeed, that contractor had to be exited from that project, and we were able to talk with him and it has now been re-awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited.

“We have done the initial phase of mobilisation, which is about N2billion, but the full mobilisation ought to be about N4.1billion

  “By God’s grace, and talking with the governor-elect, by next week we will have to pay the balance N2.1billion, so that they can move on fully to the Ayakoromo Bridge and get it completed.

  “I apologise and ask for patience of not only the people of Ayakoromo, but also all Ijaw, who had felt that that bridge ought to be completed. It is not our own deliberate fault; it was because of the non-performance of the contractor.

  “I thank God for Levant Nigeria Limited for what I see on Sector A of the Ughelli-Asaba road. From Ughelli to Oleh to Ozoro, I can see the pace of work and I thank God that we were able to repudiate the initial contract and to re-award it to Levant Nigeria Limited.”

Caution Judiciary Over Post-Election Cases

LEADERS from the Southern and Middle Belt part of the country, under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) have restated its call for true federalism and respect for the autonomy of the federating units as the only way to secure the future of Nigeria.

The Forum, while commending Nigerian youths for their courage and astuteness in expressing their interest in the future of the country, urge them not to become discouraged by some of the seeming outcomes, but to remain undeterred and emboldened to carry their foresight of building a new Nigeria to fruition, and to note that the struggle for the needed change has just begun.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a crucial meeting held on Wednesday, May 24 in Abuja, chaired by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, and attended by Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Southwest); President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Southeast); National President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt) and National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien (South-South).

The leaders expressed shock at the escalation of killings, destruction of communities and means of livelihood in several targeted areas in select states since after this year’s general elections, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi and some states in the Southeast, where hundreds of armless citizens have been killed, lamenting that the country’s security agencies “have continued to show unwillingness to decisively deal with the perpetrators of these monstrous acts, or rather, deliberately turned a blind eye to the atrocious occurrences, thereby exposing the country to a seeming state of war.”

The Forum said it is shameful that non-state actors are allowed to openly use dangerous weapons about and rampage the country unhindered.

It condemned “the cavalier and totally nonchalant attitudes of the outgoing governors of some states over the collapse of security in certain parts of their states, which has continued to exacerbate the worrisome situation and hopes their successors will show greater commitment to the welfare of their citizens who are the victims of this sad situation.”

SMBLF warned that the continuous abdication of government’s primary and abiding constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens is an irresistible signal to Nigerians to exercise their inalienable rights of self-defence, by all means.

The leaders deplored the inhuman plight of thousands of indigenous people, especially in the Middle Belt, driven out of their homes and have become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for years and left to live in conditions that impinge on their human rights as citizens, calling on the Federal Government to, without any further delay, facilitate the return and reintegration of the IDPs to their communities.

On post-election cases, SMBLF urged the Judiciary to be aware that all Nigerians are watching with very keen interest, the ongoing judicial processes  various election tribunals across the country, cautioning judiciary at all levels to be mindful that the present process is a true test of our effort at building a country based on rule of law and respect for our constitution.

It stated: “It is the expectation of Nigerians that the outcome of the processes will be a reflection of the provisions of the constitution of the country, which must be sacrosanct, and the rights of all affected parties upheld based on the provisions of the laws of Nigeria.”

SMBLF commended the various political parties and candidates for subjecting themselves to the judicial processes in line with the constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country.

On the economy, the leaders expressed worry over the rising level of indebtedness being incurred by the Federal Government, particularly the recent request for $800million World Bank loan, a request it charged the government to rescind.

While decrying the rising cost of living in the country and the hyper inflation rate, which it said has confined  majority of Nigerians to a dire state of survival, the leaders charged government at all levels to take urgent and practical steps to rejig the economy, check inflation and help improve citizens’ well-being and prospects. 

The meeting was also attended by Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Deputy Leader of Afenifere); Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd); Mr. Potter L. Dabup (rtd DIG); Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Amb. Okey Emuchay (Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo); Dr. Eze Ibe Nwosu; Amb. Eddy Onuoha; Chief Simon Okeke; Amb. Godknows Igali; Prof. G. G. Darah; Chief Sola Ebiseni (Secretary General of Afenifere); Dr. Akin Fapohunda; Chief Supo Shonibare; Prof. Charles Nwekeaku; Dr. Alex Ogbonnia; Dr. Ene Ede; Elder Mac Emakpore; Prince Maikpobi Okareme; Mr. Ben Akaakar; Mr. Jonathan Tsaku and Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.

THE Delta State Government, yesterday, ordered massive clampdown on cultism and cult-related activities in schools across the state.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who gave the directive at a news conference in Asaba, said this became necessary following rising cases of cult-related activities in secondary and primary schools in the state, adding that the Ministry of Education and relevant supervisory and regulatory authorities had been directed to ensure proper supervision of all schools to nip such activities in the bud.

“As a government, we have directed that teachers must step up their supervisory roles. Teachers are not only to impact knowledge by way of teaching the pupils or the students whatever is in the curricular, they must also encourage these students to participate in extracurricular activities, like games that will promote camaraderie among them. 

“We have directed that the Ministry of Education, particularly the departments responsible for the supervision of schools, be it private or public, should also intensify efforts,” he said.

Aniagwu charged schools to deal decisively with devious behaviours among students to restore law and order, adding that any school where such activities take place risks being closed down by the government.

“If there is any child behaving in a manner that is not expected of him, particularly in the primary and secondary schools, we have emphasised that beyond the need to sensitise, drastic actions need to be taken. Any school found to have wards in cult and nothing is being done about it, government will come down heavily on such schools.

“If you have children in your school and you are looking at them critically, you will understand their behaviour and not knowing that they belong to some groups will amount to negligence.

“If you have children who gang up to beat up teachers, you must look beyond the immediate cause of that attack on teachers to interrogate what must have emboldened them to work as a group to attack a teacher. You must also take actions that will make the parents know that they too have not done well.

“It’s the responsibility of everybody to take this as a matter of urgent state and national importance, because we do know that cultism is pervasive across the length and breadth of this country.

“Any school where such thing is found to be in existence, the authorities in that school will have to answer and it could lead to closing down of such schools. If any school discovers that children under their tutelage are behaving in a manner not expected of children of that age, it behoves on them to know that the responsibility of bringing up those children goes beyond teaching in the classroom to also monitor their behaviour, including how they dress.

“If you have children who gang up at the age of 12 or 13 to attack a teacher, you know that there must be something behind it. Where ordinarily will they summon such courage? So, if a child does that, the school must first take concrete action, including expelling that child and taking up the parents.

“These children would take over from us tomorrow as leaders, so we must not fail in our duty to bring up children of sane minds. What we are suffering today largely stems from failures of parents in the past and so parents of today cannot afford to fail more, because it will lead to the doom of tomorrow.”

He stated that a number of persons, particularly civil societies, had stressed the need for parents to sit up and for society to have a rethink in the management of youths and young ones, lamenting that some elders and parents have not also lived up to their responsibilities, with respect to monitoring the behaviour and attitude of their children and wards.

AHEAD of the May 29 inauguration of a new president, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is gearing up for the expected huge crowd of local and foreign visitors coming to witness the event.

As a result, security has been tightened and several roads in strategic place in the metropolis closed to vehicular traffic, as more checkpoints have  been mounted around the Eagle Square, venue of the inauguration, as well as along the airport road, with less commercial motorcyclists on the highway.

The Federal Government had earlier informed residents within the capital territory of its decision to shut down areas around the federal secretariat from 2pm on Friday, May 26 and until Tuesday, May 30.

Commuters were subsequently advised to take alternative routes to ease traffic, as dignitaries expected from several countries to grace the occasion begin to arrive.

The Eagle Square is currently lockdown, with security officers already rehearsing for the inauguration parade around the area, just as the military and other security agencies assured Nigerians that the ceremony would go smoothly and any plans to disrupt it would be dealt with decisively.

Recently, the Department of State Service (DSS) warned Nigerians against unruly behaviours and non-adherence to protocol during the ceremony.

By Chuks Collins, Awka

NO fewer than 18 beneficiaries requiring open heart surgeries have been lined up for this year’s medical mission of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF), which has already kicked off at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH), Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Council of Anambra State.

The intervention programme, which has become a yearly event since 2021, is the third to involve open heart surgeries and other critical areas of healthcare.

  The arrival of DIOMH, a world class cardiology facility, on the scene in May 2022 as a flagship project of SEOF would carry out the surgeries on the 18 short-listed patients.

  So far, 33 adults and children have benefited from the two such programmes sponsored by SEOF, in conjunction with America’s VOOM Foundation at the DIOMH Specialist Hospital in Oraifite.

  This year’s edition was scheduled to run from May 14 to May 26 2023, with highly skilled medical experts in Cardiology, Nephrology, and Critical Care from VOOM Foundation, College Station in Texas, United States (US) supporting the necessary interventions.

  DIOMH hit a healthcare milestone in Africa when it performed three open heart surgeries in a day and a total of 25 in less than two weeks during May 2022, at 70 per cent discount, while the remaining 30 per cent were between 14 and 20 per cent subsidised for those surgeries by Nigerian hospitals.

The total bill borne by SEOF for the 33 surgeries in 2022 was over N300million.

  In the current mission, a Community Health Fair was organised by the Foundation on May 24, 2023 from 9am to 3pm to provide free treatment for diabetes, arthritis, malaria, hypertension, chronic pain, typhoid and eye care. Dispensing of drugs and clinical examinations was free.

  Nigeria’s healthcare industry also recorded a big boost in March 2023, following the distribution of critical health intervention drugs worth N48million to medical facilities across the six geo-political zones in the country by SEOF.